I am a blessed man

I took the trash out after dinner. This is not my favorite thing to do. Due to the unseasonably warm winter that California is having this year, I went out in just my socks. Try that in Chicago in January. I looked up at the sky as I headed to the garage. I saw the Big Dipper, Taurus, Orion and the Plaedies (living in the mountains, I can see a whole lot of stars that those who live down the hill have probably forgotten about). Looking at the stars one thought crossed my mind. "I am a lucky man".

Upon a second examination I amended this to "I am a blessed man." My life is not perfect. I work hard, over 60 hours a week between my two jobs, and get to see way too little of the money I make (It seems orthodontists, phone companies, utilities, mortgage companies all like to have pieces of my money). I see way too little of my kids, and too much of strangers ordering pizza.

But I am blessed! In a country full of unemployment, or underemployment, I have 2 jobs. In a nation full of homeless people I have a nice roof over my head, and food for three meals a day (four if I really get hungry). I am so blessed.

I have three wonderful kids who are all in good health, all doing well in school, and so far none of them think their dad is dumber than dirt. I know the teen-age years are coming, but I think I can survive those. I am blessed.

I have a wife I love, even though we don't always agree on things. I am a blessed man.

Amazing what staring at the stars will do for you. So if you're reading this. Look at the sky, see those stars and realize that the One who put those stars in the sky is holding you in his Hand. Look around you and count your blessings.